Second Galilee town considering 'Zionist values' bylaws

The process of changing bylaws in the small Galilee communal settlement of Manof - where prospective residents are required to share "Jewish and Zionist" values - is being undertaken in another community in the Misgav Regional Council.

Yesterday Haaretz received an internal document from the nearby community of Yuvalim which includes a bylaw amendment on accepting new residents which existing residents are to vote on at a June 17 meeting.

The new bylaw in Yuvalim stipulates that prospective residents adhere to the values of the State of Israel as a Jewish democratic state including "values of the Zionist movement, Jewish heritage and the settlement of the Land of Israel."

The regulations also state that residents must "join in renewing Jewish settlement in Gush Segev [Misgav] through creating and maintaining communal Zionist settlement," through "marking traditional Jewish holidays together, encouraging the children of residents to join in the Zionist youth movement and IDF service and participating in immigrant absorption."

As in Manof, some Yuvalim residents expressed firm opposition to the proposal, describing it as an attempt to enforce "loyalty" in the same spirit as rightist parties' call for an oath of loyalty for all Israeli citizens.

"We suddenly got mail about changes in the bylaws, and I almost had a heart attack. An oath of loyalty to Zionism for every candidate? Threats to evict whoever doesn't follow the values of the Zionist movement and Jewish heritage? Where does all this come from? It suddenly seems as if we adopted bylaws from the settlements," said Yuvalim resident Arik Kirschenbaum.

"I feel like politicians are trying to use us to strike a blow at Arab citizens in Israel. But we won't sit quietly as they resort to legislation reminiscent of the rise of Fascism. There are disputes on the issue of allowing Arab families into the community - it's a shame, but it's a fact," he said.

Some residents in both Yuvalim and Manof claim it is the regional council itself pushing for the changes. Sources at the regional council, however, say the initiatives originated within the communities themselves, and decisions are only made with the full support of community residents.

Regional council head Ron Shani defended the changes and dismissed all charges of racism.

"The council's position is that it is appropriate to strengthen the character of the community - a community in which Zionist values and Jewish heritage stand at the heart of its way of life. We don't see this as racism in any way, as we don't see Zionism as a racist movement," he said.

He added that surrounding Arab communities also only absorbed Arab residents, a practice generally not described as racist.